Break Down Large Units into Small-Dose Writing Experiences

Break Down Large Units into Small-Dose Writing Experiences

Rather than tackle all of the components of a large expository research project with one enormous assignment, consider rolling out a couple skills at a time to be executed within an initial smaller product. Then review those skills and introduce a few more to all be generated within another short piece. Continue this spiral teaching providing multiple smaller writing experiences, rather than one mother lode unit.

Within an informative writing unit, initially utilize a simple format. For example, reveal a Q&A format for students to replicate within their own research content. Instead of writing the entire report, they only write the middle—the single question and a very thorough answer.

This allows them to focus on collecting facts, explaining information, and providing support. Within a format like Q&A, students don’t have to write an introduction and conclusion or even worry about transitions. Those skills can be introduced in future mini-units and assessed within subsequent writing assignments.

Mini-units provide students with practice on basic skills without weighing them down with everything at once.